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Leland mail destroyed in USPS vehicle fire

Published: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 12:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 12:08 p.m.

Some mail from Leland was damaged or destroyed when a U.S. Postal Service vehicle caught fire Wednesday evening en route to the mail processing facility.

According to a press release from the USPS, a contract driver reported an engine fire on the tractor-trailer carrying mail collected from two offices in Leland. Although no one was injured, some mail was damaged, the release states.

The fire happened Wednesday evening as the truck was driving on U.S. 74/76 in Columbus County.

Officials say the mail came from the main post office and a contract postal unit in Leland.

Customers who sent letter mail and/or packages from either postal location in Leland should contact the Consumer Affairs Office at (704) 424-4422.

Mid-Carolinas District Manager Angela Curtis said the cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

"At this time, we are pleased that the contract driver was uninjured. However, we recognize that this does create a concern for any postal customers who may have sent mail from our Leland offices," Curtis said. "We apologize for any inconvenience, and my staff will work with customers to assist in whatever way we can."

The Postal Inspection Service is investigating the matter, the release states.

<p>Some mail from <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9971"><b>Leland</b></a> was damaged or destroyed when a U.S. Postal Service vehicle caught fire Wednesday evening en route to the mail processing facility. </p><p>According to a press release from the USPS, a contract driver reported an engine fire on the tractor-trailer carrying mail collected from two offices in Leland. Although no one was injured, some mail was damaged, the release states. </p><p>The fire happened Wednesday evening as the truck was driving on U.S. 74/76 in Columbus County.</p><p>Officials say the mail came from the main post office and a contract postal unit in Leland. </p><p>Customers who sent letter mail and/or packages from either postal location in Leland should contact the Consumer Affairs Office at (704) 424-4422. </p><p>Mid-Carolinas District Manager Angela Curtis said the cause of the fire has yet to be determined. </p><p>"At this time, we are pleased that the contract driver was uninjured. However, we recognize that this does create a concern for any postal customers who may have sent mail from our Leland offices," Curtis said. "We apologize for any inconvenience, and my staff will work with customers to assist in whatever way we can."</p><p>The Postal Inspection Service is investigating the matter, the release states. </p><p><i></p><p>F.T. Norton: 343-2070</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @FTNorton</i></p>